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{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
{{Template:Politics of Mava}}
The '''politics of Mava''' takes place in the framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency as set out in the Mavean Constitution. Under this system, the Governor exercises the duties of head of state in the absence of the [[Atitlan|president of Atitlan]], with an elected [[Mava Council]] proposing laws, national policy, reviewing and approving the budget and finance, and holding the government to account. The Leader of the Mava Council is elected by the council to lead the government.
The '''politics of [[Mava]]''' takes place in a framework of limited self-government as a dependent territory of [[Atitlan]], whereby the Monarch of Atitlan is constitutional head of state and the [[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of Mava Council]] is head of government.


Mava, an archipelago in the Sarosan Ocean, is a self-governing territory that is officially described as an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan. Executive power is exercised on behalf of the President of Atitlan by an Atitlanese-appointed Governor acting on the advice of the Executive Council. The Governor is non-resident and their powers are usually exercised by an Administrator, who is almost always a resident Mavean. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Council. The judiciary is independence of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence and foreign policy remains the responsibility of Atitlan.
Under the islands' Organic Act, enacted in 1961, executive and legislative power is vested in the 16-member [[Mava Council]], which delegates its executive functions to a smaller cabinet called the Executive Board (Mavean: ''Taapiitmatiikiuta''; Almagrian: ''Comité Ejecutivo)''. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence is the responsibility of Atitlan; the islands are largely demilitarised, with the Kingdom of Atitlan Air Force operating only a scientific base.


==Executive branch==
== Executive branch ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Main office-holders
!Office
!Name
!Party
!Since
|-
|-
! Office !! Name !! Party !! Since
|Monarch
|Macuilxochitzin
|
|1 March 2019
|-
|-
| President || Jesús Juárez Hurtado || Socialist Party || 11 March 2021
|Representative of the Government
|Jose Miguel Artigas
|
|29 June 2022
|-
|-
| Governor (non-{{abbr|res.|resident}}) || Tomas Rabellino || (None) || 4 March 2020
|[[List of leaders of Mava|Leader of the Council]]
|-
|[[Kausaanek Malaati]]
| Administrator || Asamak Umaakasarmuk || (None) || 19 August 2021
|
|-
|22 March 2023
| Leader of the Council || [[Kausaanek Malaati]] || (None) || 22 March 2023
|}
|}
The President of Atitlan is represented by a non-resident Governor of the Mava Islands, who is usually a career civil servant rather than a diplomat. A resident Administrator, appointed by the Governor, serves as the Governor's representative to the territory. The Administrator is responsible for discharging the duties of the head of state, and also serves as the liaison between the Governor and the Mava Council. The Executive Council for Mava advises the Administrator on the exercising of their powers.
The Tlatoani of Atitlan is head of state. The monarch appoints a Representative of the Government to oversee and supervise the local government, although without any political power in their own right. Executive power is de jure vested in Mava Council, although it is de facto exercised by an Executive Board of six members, led by the council's leader.


The head of government is the Leader of the Mava Council. The leader is a member of the Mava Council elected by a majority of councillors to head the cabinet. Generally, the council elects as leader the councillor who received the most votes in the preceding election, although this is not a formal requirement. The Mava Council Cabinet is the executive branch of government, consisting of the leader and other councillors nominated by the leader and approved by the Council.
The Executive Board is appointed as a whole by the wider Council and deals with the day-to-day running of the government. The Leader of the Council is not as powerful as state governors. This is partly because governors are popularly elected and are confirmed to be head of government in their respective state constitution. The Executive Board (including the council leader) is responsible to the wider council and generally work collegially and collectively. It's members are officially "Officers of the Council" and derive their powers from the council rather than from law.


Proposals to have a directly-elected leader were proposed in 2008, although they were never implemented.
=== Current Executive Board ===
 
The current Executive Board was appointed by the Council on 24 March 2023. It's members are:
===Current government===
{| class="wikitable"
Following the resignation of Paqtuq Maagamarak as leader of the council, the Administrator appointed Kausaanek Malaati as leader following his election by the council. The current members of his cabinet are:
|+
 
!Name
'''Leader of the Council'''
!Portfolio
* Kausaanek Malaati
!Since
'''Portfolio Leads'''
* Anaayak Nelagak (Finance and Growth)
* Nua Kiuiaakii (Health, Social Services and Community Safety)
* Kipvituk Aanaqavik (Roads, Transport, and Communities)
* Alaqajaq Suujuat (Education and Work)
'''Also attending Cabinet'''
* Tilurut Qurlivitaneq (Advocate General)
 
===Advocate General===
The Advocate General for Mava is appointed by the Administrator to serve as the principal legal adviser to the government. Initially a non-political figure, since 1998 they have always been a member of the council. They sit as a non-voting member of the Council and serve as de facto justice minister in the Mava government. The Advocate General's powers and responsibilities include advising the government on the law handling criminal matters, drafting laws, and revising and publishing any laws pertaining to the islands.
 
The Advocate General is also serves as the government's appointed lawyer in cases brought before the Supreme Court.
 
==Legislative branch==
The Mava Council (''Maava Taapiit'') is the legislative branch, consisting of 10 seats. All members (''Maakaatlaani''; Councillors) are elected in one at-large constituency via the block vote method. Five members are elected every four years, with electors voting for up to five candidates. The five candidates with the most votes are elected. In addition to the 10 elected members are a number of unofficial attendants appointed by the Administrator. These include the Auditor and the Commander of Atitlanese Forces in Mava. The Administrator may also sit as an unofficial attendant. Unelected members are not counted amongst the members of the council, and they may not speak or vote.
 
The Council passes three types of laws: Acts of the Council (primary legislation), Orders (secondary legislation), and Ordinances (regulations for government bodies). All three require the approval of the Council and assent by the Administrator, although it may only approve or reject orders and ordinances, without the ability to amend.
 
There are no political parties on the island and all councillors sit as independents. Mava operates on the basis of a consensus government, with decision making reached on the basis of reaching a broad consensus.
 
====Current membership====
Following the 2022 council elections, the current councillors are:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Since !! Notes
|-
| Kausaanek Malaati || 9 May 1997 || Leader of the Council (2023-present)
|-
| Anaayak Nelagak || 9 May 2005 || Portfolio Lead for Finance and Growth (2021-present)
|-
| Nua Kiuiaakii || 7 May 2018 || Portfolio Lead for Health, Social Services and Community Safety (2023-present)
|-
| Kipvituk Aanaqavik || 8 May 2006 || Portfolio Lead for Roads, Transport, and Communities (2020-present)
|-
|-
| Alaqajaq Suujuat || 9 May 2005 || Portfolio Lead for Education and Work (2021-present)
|Kausaanek Malaati
|Leader of the Council
|2023
|-
|-
| Tilurut Qurlivitaneq || 9 May 2005 || Advocate General (2023-present)
|''Vacant''
|Deputy Leader of the Council<br>Economy and Finance
|2024
|-
|-
| Mauka Urraakitilaq || 7 May 2018 ||  
|Akteenalak Tiivuq
|Communities
|2022
|-
|-
| Arjuuk Anaanik || 9 May 2016 ||  
|Bruno Acin
|Public Services
|2020
|-
|-
| Taarjut Niunak || 7 May 2012 || Chairman of the Council (2021-present)
|Iilirluk Attanuk
|Health
|2022
|-
|-
| Qinijak Turuk || 9 May 2022 ||  
|Asier Briones
|Commerce
|2023
|}
|}
There are three ex officio members of the Executive Board. The Clerk is the most senior civil servant and is responsible for the administration of the council's non-political functions. The Legal Secretary is responsible for legal matters, overseeing the judiciary, and providing administrative support for lawyers and other legal officers. They advise the Council on law, the drafting of legislation, and revising and publishing laws applied in the island, working alongside the clerk. The Medical Officer for Health advises the Council on matters of public health importance, and is generally an Atitlanese physician.


==Judicial branch==
Ex officio members may not be elected councillors. Kipvituk Aanaqavik has served as Clerk since 2010, Maria Del Mar Villegas has served as Legal Secretary since 2021, and Daniel Abarquero has served as Medical Officer for Health since 2019.
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Island Court, and the Summary Court. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature, although it has links with the other branches through the Advocate General. The courts hierarchy is structured as follows:
 
* Supreme Court: the highest court in the hierarchy, responsible for hearing appeals and ruling on disputes over the constitution. It may also hear any civil or criminal case of legal signifiance. It is an ad-hoc body with justices appointed when required. Only the Chief Justice is a permanent appointee.
== Legislative Branch ==
* Court of Appeal: the first court of appeals. In the absence of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal is the highest court in the hierarchy. It is a semi-permanent body, with three justices appointed to serve on a permanent basis and further justices appointed to sit only for one or more trials.
[[Mava Council]] (''Taapiit Maava'') has 16 members, all elected for a three year term by popular vote in a single at-large constituency. Prior to 2020, there were also four ex officio members: the Legal Secretary, the Medical Officer for Health, and the Representative of the Government. However, now these individuals have a right of attend but are not recognised as members, ex officio or otherwise.
* Island Court: the main criminal court, responsible for holding trials for criminal violations. It also hears more serious civil cases.
 
* Summary Court: the lowest court, which hears minor infractions and less-serious civil cases. Most trials end only in fines or community service rather than imprisonment.
The Council does not have right of initiative for primary legislation. Laws passed by the council are formally secondary legislation, enacted by right of the Organic Act. This legislation (formally titled an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Mava Organic Act 1961") may be struck down by the federal government or, in limited circumstances, a state government.
The courts system resembles the system in Atitlan, although there are strong local influences. The Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings, although it has largely limited these to appeals and cases of "significance to the state" (e.g., treason or terrorism). The Chief Justice is the highest legal officer in Mava and is usually an advocate or retired judge. The Chief Justice is not resident but travels to Mava if and when necessary to hear cases.
 
The Council's administration is overseen by the Clerk to the Council, an office which combines the roles of chief executive and treasurer. Acting as Proper Officer of the Council, the clerk enacts the Council's decisions, signing formal proclamations of laws and other legislation it has passed and giving notice of their entry into force. As Responsible Financial Officer of the Council, the clerk also oversees financial monitoring and reporting.
 
Mava does not have any active political parties, operating as a non-partisan democracy. There have been a small number of political parties operating on the island, but they never achieved electoral success.
 
In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:


==Administrative divisions==
# '''Kausaanek Malaati*''' (370 votes)
Mava comprises four states that are officially called "sovereign jurisdictions" (Mavean: ''uukutaapakuumatplag''). Each are considered sovereign subject to the conditions of the Mavean constitution. Because there are some differences in their size and population, as well as where these populations are centred, there is no uniform way in which these jurisdictions are further subdivided.
# '''Nukavik Piitaaq*''' (329 votes)
# [[Akteenalak Tiivuq|'''Akteenalak Tiivuq''']] (261 votes)
# '''Mauka Urraakitilaq*''' (137 votes)
# '''Tilurut Qurlivitaneq*''' (103 votes)
# '''Anaayak Nelagak*''' (93 votes)
# '''Asier Briones''' (92 votes)
# [[Kana Tukeelat|'''Kana Tukeelat''']]* (86 votes)
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk*''' (69 votes)
# '''Sinagaktok Quinapuq*''' (63 votes)
# '''Qinijak Turuk*''' (59 votes)
# '''Iilirluk Attanuk*''' (58 votes)
# '''Nuluktuk Aanuluk''' (57 votes)
# '''Taarjut Niunak''' (54 votes)
# '''Sara Escrivá*''' (48 votes)
# '''Talkupiq Kaquk''' (47 votes)


For matters relating to the confederation (e.g., elections to the Assembly of the Islands), the name "district" is used to refer to all first-level subdivisions.
==Judicial branch==
The territory is part of the jurisdiction of the High Court of Atlalilico (''Tribunal Superior de Atlalilico'', TSA). Due to the islands' location, local magistrates are appointed to hear most cases. The Magistrates' Court in Paas is not an independent court, however, but part of the TSA's magistracy. More serious cases are heard, either, by a judge present in the islands, or in Atlalilico itself.


{| class="wikitable"
A chief magistrate is appointed to oversee the administration of the local magistracy. Although some have referred to the position as Mava's "chief justice", their role is purely administrative and does not entail any additional power. The current chief magistrate is Alujut Saujak.
|-
! Jurisdiction !! First-level subdivision !! Second-level subdivision !! Further subdivisions
|-
| North Mava || Districts (''Uukkuukaq'') || Areas (''Iqut'') || Urban areas (''Iqutaliqakak'')
|-
| South Mava || Districts (''Uukkuukaq'') || Sub-districts (''Uukkuukaqimakigup'') || Towns (''Alatakitat'')
|-
| Tokuksiagak || Lands (''Tokuk'') || Towns (''Alatakitat'')
|-
| Taak || Government area (''Kiiqkausaaktaagikiqut'')
|-
|}


==Political and civic pressure groups==
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to hold trials via video link, avoiding the need for travel between Mava and mainland Atitlan. However, due to unstable internet connectivity, this has been abandoned.
# Mavean General Workers' Union
==Administrative divisions==
# General Assembly of Mavean Employers
Mava has only two administrative divisions, which are largely ceremonial and have no local government function. These are Itiqip, which covers the main populated settlements, and M'takp, which covers the rest of the islands.
# Assembly of Churches of God
# Union of Fishermen


==International organization participation==
Prior to the establishment of Mava Council in 1929, the Paas Development Council acted as local government for Paas. The council's powers were transferred to the larger Mava Council on its creation, but was not abolished in its entirety until 1969. There is a council committee responsible for the management of Mava's islands and unpopulated areas, which acts as a de facto local authority.
UN


==See also==
==See also==
* Politics of Mava
* [[Mava]]
* Culture of Mava
* [[Mava Council]]
* [[List of leaders of Mava]]


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 12:20, 17 May 2024

Mava
Emblem of Mava.png
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Mava
  • Monarch
    • Macuilxochitzin
  • Representative
    • Jose Miguel Artigas
  • Leader of the Council
  • Chief Magistrate
    • Alujut Saujak
  • Recent elections
    • Legislative: 2000
    • 2004
    • 2008

    • 2012
    • 2016
    • 2019
    • 2023
    • Next
    • Referendums: 1996

The politics of Mava takes place in a framework of limited self-government as a dependent territory of Atitlan, whereby the Monarch of Atitlan is constitutional head of state and the Leader of Mava Council is head of government.

Under the islands' Organic Act, enacted in 1961, executive and legislative power is vested in the 16-member Mava Council, which delegates its executive functions to a smaller cabinet called the Executive Board (Mavean: Taapiitmatiikiuta; Almagrian: Comité Ejecutivo). The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches. Military defence is the responsibility of Atitlan; the islands are largely demilitarised, with the Kingdom of Atitlan Air Force operating only a scientific base.

Executive branch

Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
Monarch Macuilxochitzin 1 March 2019
Representative of the Government Jose Miguel Artigas 29 June 2022
Leader of the Council Kausaanek Malaati 22 March 2023

The Tlatoani of Atitlan is head of state. The monarch appoints a Representative of the Government to oversee and supervise the local government, although without any political power in their own right. Executive power is de jure vested in Mava Council, although it is de facto exercised by an Executive Board of six members, led by the council's leader.

The Executive Board is appointed as a whole by the wider Council and deals with the day-to-day running of the government. The Leader of the Council is not as powerful as state governors. This is partly because governors are popularly elected and are confirmed to be head of government in their respective state constitution. The Executive Board (including the council leader) is responsible to the wider council and generally work collegially and collectively. It's members are officially "Officers of the Council" and derive their powers from the council rather than from law.

Current Executive Board

The current Executive Board was appointed by the Council on 24 March 2023. It's members are:

Name Portfolio Since
Kausaanek Malaati Leader of the Council 2023
Vacant Deputy Leader of the Council
Economy and Finance 		2024
Akteenalak Tiivuq Communities 2022
Bruno Acin Public Services 2020
Iilirluk Attanuk Health 2022
Asier Briones Commerce 2023

There are three ex officio members of the Executive Board. The Clerk is the most senior civil servant and is responsible for the administration of the council's non-political functions. The Legal Secretary is responsible for legal matters, overseeing the judiciary, and providing administrative support for lawyers and other legal officers. They advise the Council on law, the drafting of legislation, and revising and publishing laws applied in the island, working alongside the clerk. The Medical Officer for Health advises the Council on matters of public health importance, and is generally an Atitlanese physician.

Ex officio members may not be elected councillors. Kipvituk Aanaqavik has served as Clerk since 2010, Maria Del Mar Villegas has served as Legal Secretary since 2021, and Daniel Abarquero has served as Medical Officer for Health since 2019.

Legislative Branch

Mava Council (Taapiit Maava) has 16 members, all elected for a three year term by popular vote in a single at-large constituency. Prior to 2020, there were also four ex officio members: the Legal Secretary, the Medical Officer for Health, and the Representative of the Government. However, now these individuals have a right of attend but are not recognised as members, ex officio or otherwise.

The Council does not have right of initiative for primary legislation. Laws passed by the council are formally secondary legislation, enacted by right of the Organic Act. This legislation (formally titled an "Ordinance under Section 31 of the Mava Organic Act 1961") may be struck down by the federal government or, in limited circumstances, a state government.

The Council's administration is overseen by the Clerk to the Council, an office which combines the roles of chief executive and treasurer. Acting as Proper Officer of the Council, the clerk enacts the Council's decisions, signing formal proclamations of laws and other legislation it has passed and giving notice of their entry into force. As Responsible Financial Officer of the Council, the clerk also oversees financial monitoring and reporting.

Mava does not have any active political parties, operating as a non-partisan democracy. There have been a small number of political parties operating on the island, but they never achieved electoral success.

In the most recent general election, the sixteen elected members are:

  1. Kausaanek Malaati* (370 votes)
  2. Nukavik Piitaaq* (329 votes)
  3. Akteenalak Tiivuq (261 votes)
  4. Mauka Urraakitilaq* (137 votes)
  5. Tilurut Qurlivitaneq* (103 votes)
  6. Anaayak Nelagak* (93 votes)
  7. Asier Briones (92 votes)
  8. Kana Tukeelat* (86 votes)
  9. Talkupiq Kaquk* (69 votes)
  10. Sinagaktok Quinapuq* (63 votes)
  11. Qinijak Turuk* (59 votes)
  12. Iilirluk Attanuk* (58 votes)
  13. Nuluktuk Aanuluk (57 votes)
  14. Taarjut Niunak (54 votes)
  15. Sara Escrivá* (48 votes)
  16. Talkupiq Kaquk (47 votes)

Judicial branch

The territory is part of the jurisdiction of the High Court of Atlalilico (Tribunal Superior de Atlalilico, TSA). Due to the islands' location, local magistrates are appointed to hear most cases. The Magistrates' Court in Paas is not an independent court, however, but part of the TSA's magistracy. More serious cases are heard, either, by a judge present in the islands, or in Atlalilico itself.

A chief magistrate is appointed to oversee the administration of the local magistracy. Although some have referred to the position as Mava's "chief justice", their role is purely administrative and does not entail any additional power. The current chief magistrate is Alujut Saujak.

There have been several unsuccessful attempts to hold trials via video link, avoiding the need for travel between Mava and mainland Atitlan. However, due to unstable internet connectivity, this has been abandoned.

Administrative divisions

Mava has only two administrative divisions, which are largely ceremonial and have no local government function. These are Itiqip, which covers the main populated settlements, and M'takp, which covers the rest of the islands.

Prior to the establishment of Mava Council in 1929, the Paas Development Council acted as local government for Paas. The council's powers were transferred to the larger Mava Council on its creation, but was not abolished in its entirety until 1969. There is a council committee responsible for the management of Mava's islands and unpopulated areas, which acts as a de facto local authority.

See also

Notes

External links

  • Mava. The Global Factbook. United Nations
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